ZOOM+Care DIY Health Articles
Symptoms, causes, and treatments for Bladder Infections
Bladder Infection
Symptoms of a Bladder Infection
A bladder infection is a specific type of urinary tract infection (UTI). Both infections share similar symptoms:
- Abdomen pressure and/or pain
- Burning while urinating
- Cloudy or bloody urine
- Fever
- Frequent need to urinate, but little comes out
Causes of a Bladder Infection
Bladder infections occur when bacteria enter your urinary tract. If you get bacteria from your colon into your urethra (for example, due to back-to-front wiping), you may contract a bladder infection. Women are at greater risk of contracting both bladder infections and UTIs due to having shorter urethras.
Should I Be Worried?
Bladder infections and UTIs are common and they won’t clear up on their own without medication. Schedule a ZOOM+Care visit if you’re experiencing any bladder infection symptoms and a doctor will figure out what’s going on.
Certain medical conditions increase your risk of infection, including an enlarged prostate, a narrow urethra, and diabetes.
In men, age can be a factor. Over time the prostate gets bigger, which slows the flow of urine and increases risk of bladder infection.
Schedule a bladder infection visit online or from our iOS app today.
Find a neighborhood ZOOM+Care clinic near you in Portland, Seattle, Salem, or Vancouver.
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Sore Throat; Sinus Infection; UTI; Cough; Ear Infection; STI; Cold; Flu; Rash; Stomach Pain; Earwax Buildup; Bronchitis; Foot Pain; Yeast Infection; Strep Throat; Eye Infection; Fever; Back Pain; Asthma; Neck Pain; Allergies; Insect Bites and Stings; Headache; Diarrhea; Anxiety
Bladder Infection Prevention Tips
Consider these tips to help prevent bladder infections:
- Stay hydrated. Frequent urination flushes any bacteria hanging out in your urinary tract, which can otherwise travel up your bladder.
- Follow the "front to back" rule. Improper wiping is a major cause of bacteria entering your bladder.
- Go easy on the toiletries. Some soaps, powders, and hygiene sprays can agitate your urinary tract and encourage bacterial infections.